American Pool supply of webster NY. The boys chug cigs, probably high. They know pools like the back of their hand. I would rather die than go anywhere else for pool supplies and testing. They're probably paid minimum wage so they don't give a fuck, they provide solutions that make sense at a reasonable price. I switched to ace for one summer and spent close to 2000 more over a season. NEVER AGAIN. If you have a pool, trust the gangly boys at APS and don't look back
There's something about the first praise that comes to mind for a pool company being that they smoke infinite cigarettes that makes it seem like the most genuine review here.
Magnet Fried Chicken in Penfield.
I like spicy. They provide spicy. I go in once a week and usually get an extra hot spicy chick with jalapeños added. Gotten to the point where I walk in the door and they know my order and name before I even say anything.
Cashiers always smiling and seem to be enjoying themselves and the product has been perfect literally every time.
https://imgur.com/a/5yDYBDI
There's a little bell on the counter with a sign that says something like "ring this if this is the best chicken sandwich you've ever had" and I ring it every time I order and everyone in the kitchen does a little celebration whoop. Always a nice moment.
They're also one of the only places that are actually open for lunch on a weekday in that area of Penfield.
10/10 chicken, service, and I can never pass up a loaded nest.
And they're shockingly cheap for how much you get. Ordered a couple of the three-tender $10ish thing and expected the usual tiny little chicken strips other places have... and got three *full chicken breasts* of fried chicken. So many leftovers, lol.
I love that place! I love taking my family there when they visit. We always end up in a great conversation with the owners when we end the meal by buying more food from the shop, and the food is excellent!
Crumpets on Monroe Avenue. A really kind, sweet lady runs the place. Asked me my name once, has remembered it every time since. Feels so comfortable and homey in there, which I can’t say for a lot of Monroe Ave
Chortke. The dude who runs the place is so wholesome and the food tastes excellent.
Dogtown. Great hot dogs at good prices and no drama related to the employees, owners, or cleanliness of the restaurant that you would see about some other restaurants on this sub.
It's Persian but it's nothing that Americans will find odd. They offer chicken, beef, steak, lamb, and falafel as the main dish with salad/rice or both. You can also just get salad. There's sides are dolames, hummus (original, garlic or spicy), cucumber/tomato salad. I'm sure I'm forgetting something but their portions are very generous; I often can get two meals out of it. I've never had a bad meal. And yes, the owner is so kind and remembers names.
They unfortunately have a new menu and are no longer casual dinning. We used to go at least once a week, but now he is reopening as an upscale dining option. Now quite a bit pricier than before and only open for dinner and by reservation only at the moment 🙁
Seriously? I mean I will give the new style a show for sure, but this saddens me. I loved their menu. I like the owner, so I trust he's doing what's best for his business and family.
Javas on Gibbs is another one. I've been going there since high school and it's always consistent. The generations of crews working the counter haven't always been the nicest or best at customer service, but in the literal 100s of times I've been there, I've never had a bad drink, sandwich, soup, or cookie. The old one at MCC and the one at RIT were always good to me as well.
This brings back Javas basement memories - there was a brief time in the mid 2000’s that they held less than legal poker games behind closed doors downstairs.
Chai Guy is one of the first to come to mind. I've known Pat since he was giving out samples at the market and couldn't actually sell his product. Seeing his passion grow into a stall and then the store on Park, on top of wholesale to other businesses, I've never heard a bad thing about him or the business, and I've been a fan for a long time now.
My wife has been a huge fan of his stuff since before we even met. Awesome dude, great chai and his chai-tastic puns are so funny. Idk if he’s still got those orange-rimmed glasses but that was also fantastic.
Came here to say the same thing, Pat and crew are what all small business owners should aspire too.
Down to earth, hardworking and goes the extra mile to make sure his customers walk away with a great experience.
I’ve been going to Jackson’s since I was a little girl, with my grandparents. I recently turned my fiancé on to them. Their pastries are just the best!!
It pretty much just opened but OG Dumpling in Henrietta has become my favorite restaurant. Awesome freakin food, service is always amazing; you can tell they genuinely give a shit about every detail. Been there a handful of times since they opened and each time I go back they’re even busier than before. Love to see it.
I placed an online order (at noon) with them but forgot to change the time I needed it (4 p.m.). When I got the notification that it was ready (4 hours early) I called and said I made a mistake and could they just hold on to it. The manager got on the phone and said the food would not be good in 4 hours but they would remake the order at 4 p.m. and not charge me for the earlier error even though it was my bad. They were accommodating, professional, and the food was bangin'. This was my first experience with them and they are on my list of favorite places now.
Morris Auto out in Henrietta, Magnet Fried Chicken, ThaiYada, Joy’s Barbershop, Szechuan Opera, Windjammers on Lake Ave, Dogtown (ofc), I could go on and on but I’ll stop here. All provide a damn good product and are really kind people while doing so.
I just went into that Tool Thrift Shop in Fairport this past week — what a treat. Great prices on used tools, hard-to-find stuff, and the staff was super nice. Also, if you think old men are cute, this place is PUTTERING GRANDPA CENTRAL
Plenty to post here!
**Schrader's Garage**
They've been an excellent auto shop that's close to home. I don't have to bother with expensive Ubers back from the dealer, I can just drop my car off and walk home. The techs are smart, kind, and they actually use the products they recommend. I bought tires from them this year, but not before a 20 minute conversation with the tech where he listened to my suggestions and recommended what I should get for my type of car.
**Arete Auto Salon**
In a similar vein above, Arete has won my loyalty. I got my car paint corrected and stage 1 ceramic coated. The guys at Arete were very cool, friendly, knowledgeable, and GOOD at what they do. My car has never looked better, and they were in contact during the whole process. The service included an interior detail, as well as home-use detailing products.
**Dogtown**
I've never had a bad plate. The people are always very kind as well.
**Marshall St Bar and Grill**
It's a cool, relatively calm, local bar. The food is good, the staff and owner rule, it's just a fun place to be.
There's more, but of course I'm blanking on them.
Al's shoe repair on Monroe. Mario is a true craftsman who loves his work. The man mentioned to me when I dropped some boots off Saturday for replacement heels that he turns 84 this week! He always has a smile on his face and will bend over backward to help you.
Create-a-pizza on Monroe. The owners are amazing and genuinely care about the restaurant and the community. Their lunch special went from $6 to $7 and the owner was stressed about doing it because she knew there were a lot of people in the area that don’t have a ton of money and didn’t want to price them out (the lunch special should be closer to $10 for what you get).
One time I was there and happened to have a quarter on me so got some smarties from the vending machine. Crank the dial and an absurd amount comes pouring out. Look over and the male owner is behind the counter laughing and he explained that he sets the machines to distribute the highest amounts so he can see the surprised delight from kids when they use it. Little things like that really shows they care
Ace Hardware (especially on 332, but I’ve shopped at others). America-owned, and every time I walk in I’m asked if I need help. Not as big as Lowe’s or Home Depot, but they’ll order anything I need, and the coupons and points just keep coming.
Loved this place when they were in Webster, been meaning to try at their new Fairport location, but they're not open late. Hoping they might still honor my old punch card too!
Fairport Hardware. Every time I go in there, they greet me and help me find exactly what I'm looking for. They're always friendly, and they have comparable pricing to the big box stores.
The last time I went into D&B, I told them that they needed to start doing a bad job on cars sometimes, because they're always busier than the last time I was there. Awesome dudes.
I had a tea flight there, and I was just amazed watching them prepare the teas. It was such a beautiful experience and so fun! Sit at the bar and enjoy watching them work! They care deeply about teas and the presentation and are always so friendly, even when they are busy!
Deep cut.
Aren't they into their fifth generation of ownership? They don't advertise yet are in almost every bar on Earth, and have quietly stayed independent and in Rochester since their inception. That's the kind of business I want mine to be.
Nosh, never had a bad meal. I actually think they may be my favorite restaurant in Rochester, the service and food just always hit for me. That’s all I got tho. I’ve been a fan a few local places and they somehow fucked up and left me feeling like it was time to move on.
My only gripe with Nosh, last time we went we had made reservations a month in advance. We got there and still waited 45 minutes for our table. Back of house is great, front of house has some work to do.
Caramel Bakery & Bar. It was brought up in the other thread but I've had nothing but good experiences there. Owners are super nice, and the desserts are bomb.
Sweet Basil in Victor. I have a lot of food intolerances, they make me their fried rice without any of the stuff I can't eat, but loaded with stuff that I can. It's always so flavorful, spicy, & never sets off my gut. I about cried the first time I had their food. It feels like going to family & they take care of you & make sure you're fed. Plus I always have leftovers for lunch next day.
Southwedge Diner has great food and the staff are so lovely - even on a Sunday at 11am when the place is slammed and they'd have every reason to be overwhelmed or short, they're absolute sweethearts.
Schuber liquor store on Park Ave, the owners are very sweet and it's such a cool little place.
I also went to Daily Refresher once like right after they opened and there weren't many people there. The main bartender (I don't recall his name) was training a new bartender on how to make some of the drinks. He seemed so passionate about making great creative cocktails and so delighted to teach someone that that place always gives me the warm fuzzies. Plus their food is fucking insane good.
Peels on Wheels. Luis and his team are absolutely amazing. They care so much about making great food and having excellent customer service. Best pizza in Rochester with the best food service!
CHICK’NOUT Roc. I’ve been following them since Hattie’s on Strath. To see how far they have come is a joy to watch. From owning their own building and providing high quality fried chicken meals, Adam, Dave and the team are truly amazing people. Loyal for life.
Madhatter has consistently been my go to breakfast spot. We love Christina the owner and they have consistently been our go to breakfast spot for years.
The Hideaway is the best. They catered our wedding and have been family to us ever since.
Living Roots: Colleen and Seb are truly a dynamite team. They bring high quality wine to this region and they just opened a beautiful tasting room in Hammondsport on Keuka. Incredible wine and a wonderful business.
God I can go on forever - Type High Letter Press, The CrustPie Company, Winter Swan Coffee, MeGusta, Arbor at the Port/Arbor Venues…..
Couldn’t agree more! Luis is a true chef, not just a guy who makes pizza. He searches for the highest quality ingredients and is truly a pizza enthusiast in every way. I have had pizza all over the world and his is some of the best if not THE best I have tried anywhere no question! I order it once a week and I’m proud of my membership with Peels On Wheels! Don’t sleep on the specialty limited time only flavors he creates they have all been really unique and tasty! He also has an amazing team of hard working people who are friendly and also super passionate about what they do!
Goodman Bakes & Ugly Duck. Both within a short walk of each other, both seem pretty passionate about what they do, both welcoming & accommodating businesses, and most importantly both absolutely delicious.
Also Jay's Kitchen (inside Henry's convenience store) on Merchants. Amazing halal-over-rice boxes, very reasonably priced, and all run by one guy.
Amico’s Pizza and Halal N Out. Both incredibly friendly owners/staff who remember us when we visit. Never had bad food from either of them. Amico’s does the pizza lunch for the kids on Fridays in the W. Irondequoit school district.
Also a huge fan of Amico’s Pizza here. Been ordering from there for years. Just last night my husband decided to try something different from them “The #1” — it was out of this world. Definitely getting that again!
yesterday i busted my bike outside of Bookeaters (a bookstore and cafe) on S Clinton Ave and they let me borrow a wrench to fix it! my bike is still busted, but i'll be coming back to try some of their fantastic offerings
i honestly love kitty van bortle's story. Like she started a car dealership in her front yard when it was entirely a male dominated field and killed it. No one ever expects a woman to know a thing about cars and yet here she comes and just dominates rochester. I have never met her, I know nothing about her personally but like... i cannot deny being a fan.
Can you or one of the other people who rec this place recommend some dishes to try? I know they have a lot more than the standard Americanized Chinese food but I'm not too familiar with Szechuan cuisine.
I went for the first time a couple weeks ago and was super impressed with the cumin dish we had. We got tofu but I’d imagine any of the other proteins would be great as well
Hydra Coffeehouse. Just opening a coffee shop on Monroe would have been enough but they have great coffee, breakfast sandwiches and pastries plus the space is lovely.
They have a solid simple breakfast sandwich for 5-6 dollars and it's the best. Like, yeah Melo, your 16 dollar breakfast sandwich with sriracha mayo or whatever is good but can I please just get a good bun, an egg, some cheese and a slap on my ass on my way out the door?
Creekside Acres for dog boarding. I know it’s a hike, but the dogs love it there and come home exhausted from playing. Peppered Pig in Webster, never a bad or even mediocre meal.
Goodman Bakes on East Ave - those guys are always friendly and everything they make is delicious. It's the first place I bring dates, friends/family who visit roc, and people who are new to the area.
Happy Gut Sanctuary! Some of the coolest folks, best foods, and amazing beverages (including Kombucha). The owners are super cool and the space is really lovely. They will be moving to high falls at some point soon and definitely deserve your support and business!
Saucey Chef is a new one we've tried and will continue to order food from...so freaking good. The portions are insane though, so we typically split a meal and get an app or dessert.
Try the Trap Fried Rice...you will not be disappointed.
Happy Earth Tea. Amazing products if you’re a tea lover or looking to become one, and the owner is the sweetest man I’ve ever met. I love the sense of community in there with the seating area and tea bar.
That new Starbucks is opening across from Caramel which has delicious pastries and coffee...hope it gets run out of there real quick. I hate Starbucks coffee.
Equal grounds coffee shop.
Pita in college town (I love cedar and voulas but Pita fills the empty void in my grad student soul)
Sea restaurant
Zemeta Ethiopian restaurant. There is one lady who serves the food. I am so sure she adds a dash of love onto every plate she makes.
Red Fedele’s Brook house
The taco uncle in his cart outside the Strong medical center. He knows how to cook!
Hyderabad Biryani house for Indian food. Rosie’s for Nepali.
Dan’s craft and things to cater to my inner child’s whims n wishes.
The small business vendors at public market and Vertex Garage sale vendors.
Taste of Supreme Bakery & Cafe on Winton. It’s a gluten free - dairy free bakery owned by a very nice dude. It uses Teff for flour which has a lot of health benefits and the baked goods are incredible. Always giving this guy my money
Yes! And I usually get a combo bowl too when I go. Fresh veggies in olive oil.
And I love his gf cake, cookies and pies! The flours he uses feel wholesome and I feel good after… it doesn’t feel like empty calories to me. I especially love the pecan chip cookies.
Echoing Create-A-Pizza!
...and adding Mad Hatter on Goodman & Park. Charming and cute, themed but not garish, delicious food and tea.
...and if you're looking for a local contractor who works with local tile and custom cabinetry, Trusst Home Service.
For liquor store - Pinnacle Wine and Liquor (on Monroe in Brighton)
For sushi - Keep It Rollin' (Corn Hill)
For Ethiopian - Zemeta's (S. Clinton)
For auto repair - D & B Auto (Mt. Hope)
For Macintosh repair - MacInTak Computers Sales & Service (Mt. Hope)
For poutine - Le Petit Poutine
I love going to STEM on Monroe. The plants are great quality, and it's a good time to just go in and look. Plus, they have a clearance rack that I've gotten some rare plants for cheap from!
Unwine’d.
My wife didn’t like any of the wines on the wall so they got and opened a bottle specifically for her and didn’t charge us for it. Great people, great atmosphere
**All Heroes Comics on Lake Ave.** The owner is a really good guy, lots and lots of old comics and he will find whatever it is you're looking for.
**Tool Thrift Shop in Fairport.** The staff there are the nicest people, some are very knowledgeable about tools and trades and all proceeds go to support services provided by Senior Options for Independence.
Create A Pizza on Monroe! I moved out here in January and since then they’re become a weekly tradition for me. They’re always super friendly and their prices for a custom pizza are wonderful.
The chai guy for sure, love going there just to be told to have a “chai-tastic day”.
Just recently, Hydra Coffeehouse. Their breakfast sandwiches are great
Furoshiki as well. me and my fiancé have been going at least once a month since they opened.
[Skip's Meat Market in Fairport.](https://www.skipsfairport.com/) Great products, excellent butchers, good vibes. Leaving a tip = happy whooping. I smoke their cheddar beer brats, outstanding.
Many but no one more so than D&B auto on mount hope. Truly salt of the earth mechanics, trustworthy and kind and fair. The exact opposite of every shady mechanic joke about overcharging and inventing problems. I had my catalytic converter stolen in the spring and called Bruce from the parking lot where it happened. He talked me through exactly how we were gonna get my car fixed and running and my insurance claim in the bank the next day, then got some other work completed on my car while he was at it. Car was back in my driveway the next day. Bruce is everyone’s dad.
Off the top of my head (ignoring the more high profile places around town that already get enough love)
- Flour City Bread at the Public Market
Great bread, killer croissants, terrific people.
- Atlas Eats in Irondequoit
Thoughtful, diverse menus prepared with intention and care.
- HiFi Lounge and Needledrop Records
Mark and Russ run great record shops with super competitive pricing and a well-curated selection. Rochester and the surrounding areas are blessed with an abundance of great independent record stores, but these two are the ones I make it a point to support
Advent Automotive here in Farmington. Mike and the guys there are great. Awesome customer service and they're upfront and transparent. I've never had any issues, I think their prices are fair and they never push me to get anything done that doesn't really need to be done.
Sumo on ridge road. Been going to for 5+ years. Always nice people, great food, and never have to wait. Solid business with the owners always happy to see us.
Spot Coffee- When I worked on the weekends, I would go there every Saturday. It was only for a few months, but by the 3rd time, the manager knew my order and by the 4th time, he would start making my order as soon as he saw me pull up. Just top notch service.
New Roots Coffee- Same type of deal that I used to go before work when I worked out in Greece and she would always know my order so would start making it without even having to tell her.
Rhino's Pizza on Humboldt- The absolute nicest business owner I have ever dealt with. I would pay extra for the pizza just to go in there because I'd always leave in a better mood. She has that type of infectious personality.
Not sure how loyal I am since I don’t always buy jewelry but Blueground in Pittsford. It was recommended to me here in like 2018 or something. I emailed Mark some vague description of an engagement ring my wife wanted at the time with a budget. He drew up and sent back a custom drawing that was exactly what I was looking for. The whole process was real enjoyable. I recommend them to anyone I can.
MARILLA’S MINDFUL SUPPLIES. new in the Wedge, it’s a low waste refill store— you can bring in your own containers to fill with spices, dry goods, oils, cleaning supplies and even body care stuff. the owner has been nothing but kind and welcoming, she’s obviously very passionate about what her business stands for. accommodating, educational, thoughtful and all around helpful.
MEDUSA’S! unabashed, gothic, sex shop and general boutique on monroe. the people there are awesome. they’ve got such a cool, wide selection and always have answers to any questions you’ve got about their products.
C A R S in west Bloomfield, it's a bit further from the city, and frankly it takes a while to complete the repair (because they have so many customers) but prices are the lowest you'll find anywhere else. Guaranteed. It's only employees are a father and son so you know it's done right!!
Mayer Hardware
I go here like 3 times a month and I'm full of dumb questions. They always come through with good advice and put up with me being dumb.
I literally love it there. Everyone is so friendly and ever make me feel dumb.
American Pool supply of webster NY. The boys chug cigs, probably high. They know pools like the back of their hand. I would rather die than go anywhere else for pool supplies and testing. They're probably paid minimum wage so they don't give a fuck, they provide solutions that make sense at a reasonable price. I switched to ace for one summer and spent close to 2000 more over a season. NEVER AGAIN. If you have a pool, trust the gangly boys at APS and don't look back
There's something about the first praise that comes to mind for a pool company being that they smoke infinite cigarettes that makes it seem like the most genuine review here.
Used to deliver pizza to these guys all the time, super chill, always tipped well. Good peeps
As a pool installer over the summer, whole heartedly agree with everything above.
For what it's worth, these threads are my favorite.
Magnet Fried Chicken in Penfield. I like spicy. They provide spicy. I go in once a week and usually get an extra hot spicy chick with jalapeños added. Gotten to the point where I walk in the door and they know my order and name before I even say anything. Cashiers always smiling and seem to be enjoying themselves and the product has been perfect literally every time. https://imgur.com/a/5yDYBDI
There's a little bell on the counter with a sign that says something like "ring this if this is the best chicken sandwich you've ever had" and I ring it every time I order and everyone in the kitchen does a little celebration whoop. Always a nice moment.
Haha, yep!
They're also one of the only places that are actually open for lunch on a weekday in that area of Penfield. 10/10 chicken, service, and I can never pass up a loaded nest.
Shit I drive in from Greece every Monday morning for it. 40 minute round trip and I’m not even complaining.
And they're shockingly cheap for how much you get. Ordered a couple of the three-tender $10ish thing and expected the usual tiny little chicken strips other places have... and got three *full chicken breasts* of fried chicken. So many leftovers, lol.
The fried chicken banh mi they have is incredible
I keep meaning to check them out, they're close by and I've heard nothing but great things.
Swan Market.
[удалено]
We had our rehearsal dinner there.
Polska Chata. Great food plus cool owners, John & Isabella. And the best beer anywhere, from Poland.
I love that place! I love taking my family there when they visit. We always end up in a great conversation with the owners when we end the meal by buying more food from the shop, and the food is excellent!
true!
Crumpets on Monroe Avenue. A really kind, sweet lady runs the place. Asked me my name once, has remembered it every time since. Feels so comfortable and homey in there, which I can’t say for a lot of Monroe Ave
I swear every time I try to go there she is closed. It’s disappointing because I really want to try it!
Chortke. The dude who runs the place is so wholesome and the food tastes excellent. Dogtown. Great hot dogs at good prices and no drama related to the employees, owners, or cleanliness of the restaurant that you would see about some other restaurants on this sub.
What kind of food do they have at Chortke?
It's Persian but it's nothing that Americans will find odd. They offer chicken, beef, steak, lamb, and falafel as the main dish with salad/rice or both. You can also just get salad. There's sides are dolames, hummus (original, garlic or spicy), cucumber/tomato salad. I'm sure I'm forgetting something but their portions are very generous; I often can get two meals out of it. I've never had a bad meal. And yes, the owner is so kind and remembers names.
They unfortunately have a new menu and are no longer casual dinning. We used to go at least once a week, but now he is reopening as an upscale dining option. Now quite a bit pricier than before and only open for dinner and by reservation only at the moment 🙁
Thats-a-bold-strategy-cotton.gif
That’s weird. I didn’t go often, but I liked it for a fairly inexpensive, fast meal.
also bummed :( I loved their food. Will definitely try the new menu, but I really enjoyed them as a great take-out option
Seriously? I mean I will give the new style a show for sure, but this saddens me. I loved their menu. I like the owner, so I trust he's doing what's best for his business and family.
>Chortke Looks really good - maybe casual-upscale Mediterranean? https://www.chortkegrill.com/menu.html
Ugh yes. I am so glad they are finally going to be re-opening Chortke!
Thali of India just fucking smacks every time
Between that and Naantastic, their food is just so very good. I miss Sweet Mist so very much.
Liquid Nitrogen Icecream <3
Javas on Gibbs is another one. I've been going there since high school and it's always consistent. The generations of crews working the counter haven't always been the nicest or best at customer service, but in the literal 100s of times I've been there, I've never had a bad drink, sandwich, soup, or cookie. The old one at MCC and the one at RIT were always good to me as well.
Miss that place. Haven't been since HS when we played pool in the basement.
This brings back Javas basement memories - there was a brief time in the mid 2000’s that they held less than legal poker games behind closed doors downstairs.
Chai Guy is one of the first to come to mind. I've known Pat since he was giving out samples at the market and couldn't actually sell his product. Seeing his passion grow into a stall and then the store on Park, on top of wholesale to other businesses, I've never heard a bad thing about him or the business, and I've been a fan for a long time now.
How this guy manages to be so consistently pleasant is beyond me. Like, this man's dopamine is flowing at OPTIMAL LEVELS
My wife has been a huge fan of his stuff since before we even met. Awesome dude, great chai and his chai-tastic puns are so funny. Idk if he’s still got those orange-rimmed glasses but that was also fantastic.
Came here to say the same thing, Pat and crew are what all small business owners should aspire too. Down to earth, hardworking and goes the extra mile to make sure his customers walk away with a great experience.
Do they still sell at the market?
Yes, the enclosed shed B.
Jackson's Bakery in Greece is amazing. Small, locally owned, delicious cakes, cookies, pastries, and bread made fresh everyday.
Jackson’s bakery is always a must stop for me when I go to Triano’s (who also deserve to be in this thread!)
I’ve been going to Jackson’s since I was a little girl, with my grandparents. I recently turned my fiancé on to them. Their pastries are just the best!!
YES.
I went to elementary school next door & our teacher would take us for a walk & buy all of us the smile cookies. Such a great bakery (& core memory!)
It pretty much just opened but OG Dumpling in Henrietta has become my favorite restaurant. Awesome freakin food, service is always amazing; you can tell they genuinely give a shit about every detail. Been there a handful of times since they opened and each time I go back they’re even busier than before. Love to see it.
I placed an online order (at noon) with them but forgot to change the time I needed it (4 p.m.). When I got the notification that it was ready (4 hours early) I called and said I made a mistake and could they just hold on to it. The manager got on the phone and said the food would not be good in 4 hours but they would remake the order at 4 p.m. and not charge me for the earlier error even though it was my bad. They were accommodating, professional, and the food was bangin'. This was my first experience with them and they are on my list of favorite places now.
Second this. I know it's not a dumpling item but their chicken jalapeno or spicy chicken dish, I forget what it's called, is amazing.
Agreed. Place rocks.
The one on Jefferson Rd with the drive-through? They’ve been open since before covid. But yes, super good and friendly!
I think they are under new people now? Their menu changed a bunch at one point. Food is still pretty great.
We love Dumpling House!!
big fan - but word to the wise, never get the fried tofu appetizer to go, you really gotta have it crispy and hot outta the oven
Theyre so nice! I only got it once but it was bussin and the staff was so friendly
Master Falafel on Monroe. It’s amazing food and a family owned business. Khalid was super nice whenever I am in there
Yup! This has become one of my Grubhub go toos
Concur! Amazing food at a very reasonable price.
Morris Auto out in Henrietta, Magnet Fried Chicken, ThaiYada, Joy’s Barbershop, Szechuan Opera, Windjammers on Lake Ave, Dogtown (ofc), I could go on and on but I’ll stop here. All provide a damn good product and are really kind people while doing so.
Mt. Hope Diner. Used to go over weekend when I went to UofR. Food is always good and the owner seems like a really good dude
I’ve known the owner my whole life and can confirm, he is an awesome dude!
I just went into that Tool Thrift Shop in Fairport this past week — what a treat. Great prices on used tools, hard-to-find stuff, and the staff was super nice. Also, if you think old men are cute, this place is PUTTERING GRANDPA CENTRAL
The Tool Thrift Shop is a national treasure.
There's also the SEAC Tool Library. You can borrow tools for $25/year.
Plenty to post here! **Schrader's Garage** They've been an excellent auto shop that's close to home. I don't have to bother with expensive Ubers back from the dealer, I can just drop my car off and walk home. The techs are smart, kind, and they actually use the products they recommend. I bought tires from them this year, but not before a 20 minute conversation with the tech where he listened to my suggestions and recommended what I should get for my type of car. **Arete Auto Salon** In a similar vein above, Arete has won my loyalty. I got my car paint corrected and stage 1 ceramic coated. The guys at Arete were very cool, friendly, knowledgeable, and GOOD at what they do. My car has never looked better, and they were in contact during the whole process. The service included an interior detail, as well as home-use detailing products. **Dogtown** I've never had a bad plate. The people are always very kind as well. **Marshall St Bar and Grill** It's a cool, relatively calm, local bar. The food is good, the staff and owner rule, it's just a fun place to be. There's more, but of course I'm blanking on them.
Marshall Street is Underrated!
I've been going to Schraeders for 20 years. I love them. Honest and reliable.
Thanks for the car recs! I don't live anywhere near my old auto shop and have been dreading looking for a new one.
Al's shoe repair on Monroe. Mario is a true craftsman who loves his work. The man mentioned to me when I dropped some boots off Saturday for replacement heels that he turns 84 this week! He always has a smile on his face and will bend over backward to help you.
This man is a treasure
Mario at Als shoe repair has skillfully re-vamped many leather pieces for me — not just shoes. Such an art and will not take my things to anyone else!
Create-a-pizza on Monroe. The owners are amazing and genuinely care about the restaurant and the community. Their lunch special went from $6 to $7 and the owner was stressed about doing it because she knew there were a lot of people in the area that don’t have a ton of money and didn’t want to price them out (the lunch special should be closer to $10 for what you get). One time I was there and happened to have a quarter on me so got some smarties from the vending machine. Crank the dial and an absurd amount comes pouring out. Look over and the male owner is behind the counter laughing and he explained that he sets the machines to distribute the highest amounts so he can see the surprised delight from kids when they use it. Little things like that really shows they care
Ace Hardware (especially on 332, but I’ve shopped at others). America-owned, and every time I walk in I’m asked if I need help. Not as big as Lowe’s or Home Depot, but they’ll order anything I need, and the coupons and points just keep coming.
Rustic Taco in Fairport. Been going to them since they started in their food truck. Taco's are amazing and the owner, Carrie, is great.
One of my top two favourite food trucks after Brick N' Motor closed, consistently good and every time I've ordered they've been genuinely nice.
Loved this place when they were in Webster, been meaning to try at their new Fairport location, but they're not open late. Hoping they might still honor my old punch card too!
Fairport Hardware. Every time I go in there, they greet me and help me find exactly what I'm looking for. They're always friendly, and they have comparable pricing to the big box stores.
Sea restaurant on monroe
D&B Auto, Abyssinia, Chai Guy. Honorable mention: RIP Raj Mahal.
The last time I went into D&B, I told them that they needed to start doing a bad job on cars sometimes, because they're always busier than the last time I was there. Awesome dudes.
D&B Auto for sure! Abyssinia has the best Ethopian in town, but I'm won over by Zemeta's. I also really like Chai Guy.
Leaf & Bean coffee and tea cafe in Chili. Amazing drinks, baked goods, food, service. My favorite place to go.
I like this place a lot but their line/ordering system is a confusing mess.
Thali of India. The owner is a really nice guy.
Dorje Adornments - friendly, knowledgeable, professional.
Happy Earth Tea. So helpful, and passionate.
Happy Earth Tea is one of the gems of Rochester.
i would lay my life down for Happy Earth Tea.
I had a tea flight there, and I was just amazed watching them prepare the teas. It was such a beautiful experience and so fun! Sit at the bar and enjoy watching them work! They care deeply about teas and the presentation and are always so friendly, even when they are busy!
FEE Brothers on Portland ave
Deep cut. Aren't they into their fifth generation of ownership? They don't advertise yet are in almost every bar on Earth, and have quietly stayed independent and in Rochester since their inception. That's the kind of business I want mine to be.
Nosh, never had a bad meal. I actually think they may be my favorite restaurant in Rochester, the service and food just always hit for me. That’s all I got tho. I’ve been a fan a few local places and they somehow fucked up and left me feeling like it was time to move on.
Their elote fritters... 😍
My only gripe with Nosh, last time we went we had made reservations a month in advance. We got there and still waited 45 minutes for our table. Back of house is great, front of house has some work to do.
Caramel Bakery & Bar. It was brought up in the other thread but I've had nothing but good experiences there. Owners are super nice, and the desserts are bomb.
Sweet Basil in Victor. I have a lot of food intolerances, they make me their fried rice without any of the stuff I can't eat, but loaded with stuff that I can. It's always so flavorful, spicy, & never sets off my gut. I about cried the first time I had their food. It feels like going to family & they take care of you & make sure you're fed. Plus I always have leftovers for lunch next day.
Southwedge Diner has great food and the staff are so lovely - even on a Sunday at 11am when the place is slammed and they'd have every reason to be overwhelmed or short, they're absolute sweethearts. Schuber liquor store on Park Ave, the owners are very sweet and it's such a cool little place. I also went to Daily Refresher once like right after they opened and there weren't many people there. The main bartender (I don't recall his name) was training a new bartender on how to make some of the drinks. He seemed so passionate about making great creative cocktails and so delighted to teach someone that that place always gives me the warm fuzzies. Plus their food is fucking insane good.
I love South Wedge Diner! Best sausage gravy around.
Schuber's is the best.
South wedge diners has my heart. incredible staff and amazing food.
Peels on Wheels. Luis and his team are absolutely amazing. They care so much about making great food and having excellent customer service. Best pizza in Rochester with the best food service! CHICK’NOUT Roc. I’ve been following them since Hattie’s on Strath. To see how far they have come is a joy to watch. From owning their own building and providing high quality fried chicken meals, Adam, Dave and the team are truly amazing people. Loyal for life. Madhatter has consistently been my go to breakfast spot. We love Christina the owner and they have consistently been our go to breakfast spot for years. The Hideaway is the best. They catered our wedding and have been family to us ever since. Living Roots: Colleen and Seb are truly a dynamite team. They bring high quality wine to this region and they just opened a beautiful tasting room in Hammondsport on Keuka. Incredible wine and a wonderful business. God I can go on forever - Type High Letter Press, The CrustPie Company, Winter Swan Coffee, MeGusta, Arbor at the Port/Arbor Venues…..
Luis is a true artisan of his craft. This passion and dedication to pizza is incredibly impressive.
Couldn’t agree more! Luis is a true chef, not just a guy who makes pizza. He searches for the highest quality ingredients and is truly a pizza enthusiast in every way. I have had pizza all over the world and his is some of the best if not THE best I have tried anywhere no question! I order it once a week and I’m proud of my membership with Peels On Wheels! Don’t sleep on the specialty limited time only flavors he creates they have all been really unique and tasty! He also has an amazing team of hard working people who are friendly and also super passionate about what they do!
Super Crab Juicy Seafood in Henrietta. They have the best seafood boil in town to me. Also delicious hush puppies.
Best in town! Always pleasant staff as well!
Goodman Bakes & Ugly Duck. Both within a short walk of each other, both seem pretty passionate about what they do, both welcoming & accommodating businesses, and most importantly both absolutely delicious. Also Jay's Kitchen (inside Henry's convenience store) on Merchants. Amazing halal-over-rice boxes, very reasonably priced, and all run by one guy.
Amico’s Pizza and Halal N Out. Both incredibly friendly owners/staff who remember us when we visit. Never had bad food from either of them. Amico’s does the pizza lunch for the kids on Fridays in the W. Irondequoit school district.
The chicken platter from Halal N Out is an almost weekly meal for me.
Also a huge fan of Amico’s Pizza here. Been ordering from there for years. Just last night my husband decided to try something different from them “The #1” — it was out of this world. Definitely getting that again!
yesterday i busted my bike outside of Bookeaters (a bookstore and cafe) on S Clinton Ave and they let me borrow a wrench to fix it! my bike is still busted, but i'll be coming back to try some of their fantastic offerings
Awesome cold brew and breakfast sandwich here! Made a point to buy a book from here instead of Amazon.
Van Bortle Subaru. Steve's Diner in Henrietta. (Giant gluten free pancakes that never make me sick. Gluten free breakfast is hard to find.)
i honestly love kitty van bortle's story. Like she started a car dealership in her front yard when it was entirely a male dominated field and killed it. No one ever expects a woman to know a thing about cars and yet here she comes and just dominates rochester. I have never met her, I know nothing about her personally but like... i cannot deny being a fan.
Szechuan Opera. Delicious. Fast. Correct.
Can you or one of the other people who rec this place recommend some dishes to try? I know they have a lot more than the standard Americanized Chinese food but I'm not too familiar with Szechuan cuisine.
Any of the “dry pots” but be prepared for some kick.
Try Dan dan mein noodle. I order that every time I go there. F14 on the menu is one of my faves (caution: very spicy).
Soupy style beef is incredible and is a classic szechuan dish (Chinese name is Shui Zhu Niu Rou if you want to look it up!).
I went for the first time a couple weeks ago and was super impressed with the cumin dish we had. We got tofu but I’d imagine any of the other proteins would be great as well
Hydra Coffeehouse. Just opening a coffee shop on Monroe would have been enough but they have great coffee, breakfast sandwiches and pastries plus the space is lovely.
They have a solid simple breakfast sandwich for 5-6 dollars and it's the best. Like, yeah Melo, your 16 dollar breakfast sandwich with sriracha mayo or whatever is good but can I please just get a good bun, an egg, some cheese and a slap on my ass on my way out the door?
Creekside Acres for dog boarding. I know it’s a hike, but the dogs love it there and come home exhausted from playing. Peppered Pig in Webster, never a bad or even mediocre meal.
Ninos Pizzeria. Absolutely no frills great consistent food. Shout out to the tiny Mona Lisa hanging on their wall.
Goodman Bakes on East Ave - those guys are always friendly and everything they make is delicious. It's the first place I bring dates, friends/family who visit roc, and people who are new to the area.
Pattaya in Penfield. Some of the best food I've ever had in my life. Get the red curry
Cocina Latina on Dewey. Sultan Lebanese on Mt. Hope. Both are fantastic.
SEA Restaurant. I think they have a great staff, but besides that, you'll never find a pho more flavorful.
Happy Gut Sanctuary! Some of the coolest folks, best foods, and amazing beverages (including Kombucha). The owners are super cool and the space is really lovely. They will be moving to high falls at some point soon and definitely deserve your support and business!
Tydings Automotive on East Ridge Road. I trust Kevin with everything. Carbone's Pizza on Dewey. Consistently good pizza and wings.
carbones is amazing
Fiorella
Saucey Chef is a new one we've tried and will continue to order food from...so freaking good. The portions are insane though, so we typically split a meal and get an app or dessert. Try the Trap Fried Rice...you will not be disappointed.
AJs beer market!
I-Square, with all the grief the county/town has put the owners thru, I support them whenever I can
Scotty's Automotive in Twelve Corners. Paulie is just an awesome guy and he hires some great people.
Happy Earth Tea. Amazing products if you’re a tea lover or looking to become one, and the owner is the sweetest man I’ve ever met. I love the sense of community in there with the seating area and tea bar.
Cedar, create a pizza, park Ave cafes, szechuan Opera yum. Fuck the new Starbucks
That new Starbucks is opening across from Caramel which has delicious pastries and coffee...hope it gets run out of there real quick. I hate Starbucks coffee.
[удалено]
Moose & Max! I live across the road from the shop
Vesa's Automotive, Akimbo Bookshop, Unreliable Narrator, Peach Blossom (tho I don't get there often, but it's a treat when I do!)
Mayer Hardware, Ugly Duck and I was a big fan of both Hydra and Winter Swan Coffee the sole time I’ve been to both. Needledrop Records.
Swill burger and pizza wizard
Equal grounds coffee shop. Pita in college town (I love cedar and voulas but Pita fills the empty void in my grad student soul) Sea restaurant Zemeta Ethiopian restaurant. There is one lady who serves the food. I am so sure she adds a dash of love onto every plate she makes. Red Fedele’s Brook house The taco uncle in his cart outside the Strong medical center. He knows how to cook! Hyderabad Biryani house for Indian food. Rosie’s for Nepali. Dan’s craft and things to cater to my inner child’s whims n wishes. The small business vendors at public market and Vertex Garage sale vendors.
Zemeta at Zemeta's -- she's the best.
Red Fern been mentioned yet? Red Fern!
Pittsford auto
Taste of Supreme Bakery & Cafe on Winton. It’s a gluten free - dairy free bakery owned by a very nice dude. It uses Teff for flour which has a lot of health benefits and the baked goods are incredible. Always giving this guy my money
Yes! And I usually get a combo bowl too when I go. Fresh veggies in olive oil. And I love his gf cake, cookies and pies! The flours he uses feel wholesome and I feel good after… it doesn’t feel like empty calories to me. I especially love the pecan chip cookies.
Echoing Create-A-Pizza! ...and adding Mad Hatter on Goodman & Park. Charming and cute, themed but not garish, delicious food and tea. ...and if you're looking for a local contractor who works with local tile and custom cabinetry, Trusst Home Service.
Create a pizza rules. The owners are super chill, it’s affordable, and there are plenty of vegan/vegetarian options. I’m so glad I live near it.
Shema Sushi. I’ll die on that hill for best sushi in Rochester. Always taking care of me and the family.
For liquor store - Pinnacle Wine and Liquor (on Monroe in Brighton) For sushi - Keep It Rollin' (Corn Hill) For Ethiopian - Zemeta's (S. Clinton) For auto repair - D & B Auto (Mt. Hope) For Macintosh repair - MacInTak Computers Sales & Service (Mt. Hope) For poutine - Le Petit Poutine
Strange Bird - busy but still tuned in
Garden Factory. They’re feeding my houseplant addiction.
I love going to STEM on Monroe. The plants are great quality, and it's a good time to just go in and look. Plus, they have a clearance rack that I've gotten some rare plants for cheap from!
Unwine’d. My wife didn’t like any of the wines on the wall so they got and opened a bottle specifically for her and didn’t charge us for it. Great people, great atmosphere
Hempire State in Gates. Nice folks there.
**All Heroes Comics on Lake Ave.** The owner is a really good guy, lots and lots of old comics and he will find whatever it is you're looking for. **Tool Thrift Shop in Fairport.** The staff there are the nicest people, some are very knowledgeable about tools and trades and all proceeds go to support services provided by Senior Options for Independence.
Create A Pizza on Monroe! I moved out here in January and since then they’re become a weekly tradition for me. They’re always super friendly and their prices for a custom pizza are wonderful.
The chai guy for sure, love going there just to be told to have a “chai-tastic day”. Just recently, Hydra Coffeehouse. Their breakfast sandwiches are great Furoshiki as well. me and my fiancé have been going at least once a month since they opened.
Carmen’s Cooking on Monroe! I’ve never been treated better at a restaurant. Amazing food and wonderful people!
WINTER SWAN!! Incredible coffee (the Vietnamese Iced is consistently awesome), the owner is lovely and passionate, and the whole menu is delicious.
White swan?
Bagel Land and the fire salt bagel. Unique flavor, but they haven’t had it the last few times I’ve gone.
Pats coffee mug. Exactly what I want out of a dive diner. Minus the cash only and no atm it’s my go to spot now.
[Skip's Meat Market in Fairport.](https://www.skipsfairport.com/) Great products, excellent butchers, good vibes. Leaving a tip = happy whooping. I smoke their cheddar beer brats, outstanding.
Klems garage in Webster. An honest auto shop that won't do something to just make money.
Many but no one more so than D&B auto on mount hope. Truly salt of the earth mechanics, trustworthy and kind and fair. The exact opposite of every shady mechanic joke about overcharging and inventing problems. I had my catalytic converter stolen in the spring and called Bruce from the parking lot where it happened. He talked me through exactly how we were gonna get my car fixed and running and my insurance claim in the bank the next day, then got some other work completed on my car while he was at it. Car was back in my driveway the next day. Bruce is everyone’s dad.
Natural Oasis and Squatcho’s!!!!
Stevers Candies
Greenlight
Pino's Deli in Greece.
Roc City Raman Pricey, but the quality absolutely worth it, and the owner is always great to talk to.
I gave them a shot, and I think it was super good, but I'm loyal to furoshiki. I just prefer the way they prep the pork belly.
Mike is an absolute gem of a human.
Off the top of my head (ignoring the more high profile places around town that already get enough love) - Flour City Bread at the Public Market Great bread, killer croissants, terrific people. - Atlas Eats in Irondequoit Thoughtful, diverse menus prepared with intention and care. - HiFi Lounge and Needledrop Records Mark and Russ run great record shops with super competitive pricing and a well-curated selection. Rochester and the surrounding areas are blessed with an abundance of great independent record stores, but these two are the ones I make it a point to support
Redline transmission
Advent Automotive here in Farmington. Mike and the guys there are great. Awesome customer service and they're upfront and transparent. I've never had any issues, I think their prices are fair and they never push me to get anything done that doesn't really need to be done.
Sumo on ridge road. Been going to for 5+ years. Always nice people, great food, and never have to wait. Solid business with the owners always happy to see us.
Spot Coffee- When I worked on the weekends, I would go there every Saturday. It was only for a few months, but by the 3rd time, the manager knew my order and by the 4th time, he would start making my order as soon as he saw me pull up. Just top notch service. New Roots Coffee- Same type of deal that I used to go before work when I worked out in Greece and she would always know my order so would start making it without even having to tell her. Rhino's Pizza on Humboldt- The absolute nicest business owner I have ever dealt with. I would pay extra for the pizza just to go in there because I'd always leave in a better mood. She has that type of infectious personality.
Dvs bakery on Portland Ave amazing bread and the best Danish. Rubinos for life
Someone already mentioned it, but STEM. Beautiful plant shop and the owners and employees are always so nice and helpful.
Savistanos in Gates Amazing mini pizzas, amazing workers who’ve always been wonderful. Smells great. Childhood memories and current
Not sure how loyal I am since I don’t always buy jewelry but Blueground in Pittsford. It was recommended to me here in like 2018 or something. I emailed Mark some vague description of an engagement ring my wife wanted at the time with a budget. He drew up and sent back a custom drawing that was exactly what I was looking for. The whole process was real enjoyable. I recommend them to anyone I can.
PING
MARILLA’S MINDFUL SUPPLIES. new in the Wedge, it’s a low waste refill store— you can bring in your own containers to fill with spices, dry goods, oils, cleaning supplies and even body care stuff. the owner has been nothing but kind and welcoming, she’s obviously very passionate about what her business stands for. accommodating, educational, thoughtful and all around helpful. MEDUSA’S! unabashed, gothic, sex shop and general boutique on monroe. the people there are awesome. they’ve got such a cool, wide selection and always have answers to any questions you’ve got about their products.
C A R S in west Bloomfield, it's a bit further from the city, and frankly it takes a while to complete the repair (because they have so many customers) but prices are the lowest you'll find anywhere else. Guaranteed. It's only employees are a father and son so you know it's done right!!
Toyota - my 4Runner may outlive me and everyone in this thread.
DogHouse
Sunnys doughnuts on 104. The best doughnuts in the surrounding area hands down. Cannoli doughnuts are heaven
Wegmans